CENTRE-BASEDKETTLE & STONY POINT HEADSTART/DAYCARE PROGRAM
CENTRE-BASED
Again this year the Headstart/Daycare program has worked tirelessly to fulfill our mandate and bring the 6 components of Aboriginal Headstart to the families with children 0-6 years of age in the community.
We have continued our renovation work at both our locations. A new sandbox and soft protective surface were added to the Kindergarten playground. The children are thrilled with the creation of a Gross Motor room at the Preschool Site. A pond was added to the room, children start their day by greeting the fish and end their day with saying good night to our fish.
The children learn through the High/Scope Educational Approach and we were pleased to bring training in the High/Scope Philosophy to the staff at the Headstart/Daycare program, the Kindergarten staff at Hillside School and the Native Early Childhood Education Students.
An
overwhelming number of groups showed interest in the Headstart/Daycare Program
and came to visit our program. Headstart Managers from across Ontario came to
tour the centre in September. Kettle & Stony Point Headstart/Daycare is being
recognized for its collaboration, vision, partnerships, and holistic approach to
working with children and families. We have created what the province wants to
have with the “Best Start” Program, and many people have come to see us in
action.
The Speech/Language Department has undergone changes as well. Due to the increasing needs of the children, our Speech/Language Pathologist, Stephanie Bixby-Cokes is with us 3 days a month and our Communicative Disorders Assistant, Melissa Duquette is with us 3 days a week. The children look forward to seeing Melissa and Stephanie’s faces in the classroom.
It was
our pleasure to offer work placements to the Native ECE Students, over the past
year their was opportunity to have students in each of our classrooms. Our
staff really took on the additional role of guiding these students through their
education process and in turn the students brought to us their fresh ideas for
implementing culture and language into the classrooms.
Our Native
Language Instructor took an education leave to return to college to pursue a
diploma in Early Childhood Education. We are thrilled with the expertise that
will be used to deliver teachings to the children.
Norma Khalaf
Headstart/Daycare Program Manager
Family & Community Outreach Program
(A Department of Headstart/Daycare)
The Outreach Program had a successful and exciting year. 67 families, 92 parents, 135 children and 72 others (family members, volunteers, professionals, and community members) were serviced through the Outreach Program in the 2005/2006 year.
The drop-in centre offered families activities to enjoy with their children, a Toy/Book Lending Library, a Clothing Exchange Program, a Family Resource Library, and monthly visits from a Speech Pathologist, the Dietitian and the Health Babies/Healthy Children Nurse .
Several parenting programs were offered throughout the year including, “Nobody’s Perfect” (a joint initiative with the Health Centre), “Toddlers-R-Terrific”, Regalia Making, Cornhusk Doll Making, Hand-Drum Making Classes and Ojibwe Language classes for parents.
In partnership with the Health Centre and Hillside School the Early Childhood Families & Schools Together (F&ST) program was held between September and December.
In partnership with Hillside School, Family Math and Family Science Programs were held for the kindergarten children of the community.
A Safe Kids Day was held in June focusing on bike safety. The children participated in a bike rodeo and each received a new bike helmet.
One morning a week was designated for programming for infants (0-12 months) and toddlers (12-24 months). These programs included Infant Massage, Wee Exercise (a baby exercise class), Baby Sign Language and a new program called “Making the Connection with Your Baby”.
The Family & Community Outreach Program had a tremendous year of programming and growth in parent participation. We are looking forward to building upon the programs offered in the up-coming year.